Losses of Summer 2026 and the death of the "Good Guy"

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! In this impromptu pivot from game night, Sarah sits down with co-host Alex and re-occurring special guest Kaj for a heartfelt, hilarious, and wide-ranging "In Memoriam" roundtable. Dedicating this episode to the heavy pop-culture losses of Summer 2026, the trio navigates the unique grief of losing the Y2K icons we grew up alongside. The conversation balances emotional tributes with classic Gay2k chaotic tangents, covering everything from the timelessness of Steel Magnolias to the unhinged logistics of Tim Curry’s Muppet co-stars. What We Cover: Growing Up & Letting Go: The different types of parasocial grief, contrasting the long, groundbreaking careers of legends like Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem with the tragic loss of younger staples like Hayden Panettiere. Feminist Icons: Celebrating Dolly’s effortless activism—including her beautiful sci-fi cameo on The Orville—and Gloria Steinem’s vital evolution in the public eye. The Sweet Transvestite: A deep dive into Tim Curry’s iconic villain era that spirals into an intensely specific debate about his romantic confession involving Miss Piggy. Roasting the 90s "Good Guy": The episode wraps with a sharp critique putting the cinematic "good guy" to rest, calling out the toxic, main-character energy of Dawson Leery, Ross Geller, and Ted Mosby.